• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
COVID-19 INFORMATION
CALL NOW: (321) 802-5021 FAX: (321) 802-4999 PATIENT PORTAL TELEHEALTH PAY HERE REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
  • Meet the Team
    • Meet the Providers
    • Meet the Staff
  • Conditions
    • Back Pain
    • Post-Surgical Pain
    • Arthritis
    • Sciatica
    • Lumbar Stenosis
    • Headaches
    • Hip Pain
    • Knee Pain
    • Joint Injuries
    • Neck Pain
  • Therapies
    • Interventional Pain Management
    • Minimally Invasive Therapies
  • Patient Reviews
  • Patient Documents
  • Patient Education
    • Blog
  • Contact Us

Lower Back Pain: Is It Serious?

December 18, 2020

Lower back pain is a common problem among many Americans. Fortunately, in a majority of cases, it gets better without the need for medical intervention. Sometimes, however, symptoms can be a cause for concern and may require further investigation by a doctor in order to manage the pain successfully.

The lower back, also known as the lumbar region, is a common source of back pain, which isn’t surprising because it plays an important role in everyday life. Not only does it support the weight of the upper body, but it also withstands weight and pressure from activities such as bending, lifting, and twisting, which can make it susceptible to injury and spinal conditions. The lower back is composed of muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves, and problems with, or damage to, any of these structures can result in pain.

When to Visit A Doctor

Often, lower back pain episodes are temporary, and a minor injury such as a sprain or a strain, bad posture, or over-exertion can all result in pain in the lower back. Temporary back pain usually improves within 1-2 weeks and basic at-home care such as rest, heat and cold therapies, and over-the-counter pain medication may be all that is required. However, in some cases, back pain may be more serious and require a visit to a doctor, particularly if:

  • You have severe back pain that has lasted for more than a week without improvement, or it continues to get worse
  • You have radiating pain that travels into the glutes, groin, hip, and/or leg (which can indicate spinal nerve compression)
  • Back pain is interfering with normal day-to-day activities or work duties

If lower back pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as sudden weakness in the legs, incontinence, or numbness/pins and needles in the groin or glutes, you should seek emergency medical care, as this may indicate a serious medical condition.

If lower back pain isn’t improving within 1-2 weeks, you should visit a doctor who can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment plan to address your symptoms and the underlying condition causing them. There are some common conditions that can cause lower pain, including:

Sciatica

Sciatica can cause radiating pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness that travel from the lower back, down through the back of the leg, and into the foot. It occurs when the sciatic nerve (the long, thick nerve that extends from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg) becomes compressed or inflamed by an issue such as a herniated disc. It typically only affects one side of the body at a time.

Herniated Disc

A herniated (ruptured) disc can cause significant back pain and frequently affects the lower back. Discs are the cushion-like pads that act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae bones in the spine. A herniated disc is when the outer disc layer tears, causing its gel-like center to leak out. This can irritate and put pressure on the nerves and spinal cord, causing pain. A herniated disc can result from trauma, injury, and conditions such as degenerative disc disease.

Spinal Stenosis

The aging process, spinal injuries, and degenerative conditions such as arthritis, can cause the spaces within your spine (where the spinal cord and nerves travel through) to narrow, a condition known as spinal stenosis. This can place pressure on the nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.

Arthritis

Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling within joints, including the ones in the spine. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, which can result from wear and tear, injury, or overuse. It causes the protective cartilage at the end of the bones to gradually wear away, resulting in painful bone on bone rubbing.

Treatment For Lower Back Pain

Effective treatments for back pain can vary depending on the diagnosis and the severity of the symptoms. Often, conservative treatment methods are used initially to relieve symptoms, which can include activity modifications, pain-relieving medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, nerve blocks, PRP therapy, and radiofrequency ablation. Sometimes, however, back pain that does not improve with non-surgical methods may require surgery.

Help for Back Pain in Melbourne, FL

If you’re experiencing low back pain, call the pain management specialists at Central Florida Spine & Pain. We provide effective, long-lasting pain relief and aim to relieve your symptoms, no matter the cause. To find out more about the services we provide, call us today at (321) 802-5021, and for your convenience, you can also request an appointment online.

Filed Under: Back Pain Tagged With: Arthritis treatment near me, Back Pain Relief, back pain treatment in Melbourne FL, Back Pain Treatment near me, Central Florida Spine & Pain, Chronic Pain, pain management treatment near me, sciatica treatment near me, spinal stenosis treatment near me, Spine Pain

Primary Sidebar

December 2020
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Nov   Jan »

Categories

  • Arthritis
  • Back doctor
  • Back Pain
  • Compression Fractures
  • General
  • Hip
  • Neck Pain
  • Pain Management
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spine Pain

Tags

arthritis pain management Melbourne FL Arthritis Treatment Arthritis Treatment Melbourne FL Arthritis treatment near me back doctor in Melbourne FL back doctor Melbourne FL back doctor near me Back Pain Back Pain Relief back pain relief Melbourne Back pain relief near me Back Pain Treatment back pain treatment in Melbourne FL Back Pain Treatment Melbourne FL Back Pain Treatment near me Best Arthritis Treatment near me best back doctor near me best pain management doctor near me best pain management near me best pain management specialist near me Central Florida Spine & Pain Central Florida Spine and Pain Chronic Pain hip arthritis treatment in Melbourne FL interventional pain management Melbourne FL interventional pain management near me Interventional Pain Management Physician near me Knee Arthritis Treatment Melbourne FL Knee Arthritis Treatment near me Minimally Invasive Therapies Neck Pain neck pain treatment in Melbourne FL neck pain treatment near me Pain Management Pain management clinic near me pain management doctor near me pain management in Melbourne FL pain management Melbourne FL pain management near me pain management treatment near me pain specialist near me PRP therapy in Melbourne FL PRP therapy near me sciatica treatment near me Spine Pain

Footer

Request An Appointment
Meet Dr. Giordano Conditions Treatments Patient Reviews
Blog Patient Education Contact
395 S. Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL 32904
1855 Jess Parrish Ct
Titusville, FL 32796
(321) 802-5021
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com
HIPAA Privacy Policy Accessability Statement Sitemap Copyright © 2020 . Central Florida Spine and Pain, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

At Central Florida Spine & Pain,  Dr. Giordano offers Interventional Pain Therapies and Minimally Invasive Treatments for acute and chronic pain conditions.